Trap for sinks



A. WINKLER TRAP FOR SINKS July 13, 1954 2 Sheets-Shem Original Filed July 1, 1949 INVENTOR. ALBERT WINKLER Filly? July 13, 1954 A. WINKLER 2,683,534

TRAP FOR SINKS Original Filed July 1, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ALBERT WINKLER BY8%(W Patented July 13, 1954 D STATES ATET OFFWE Substituted for application Serial No. 102,623, July 1, 1949. This application August 23, 1951,

Serial No. 243,228

4 Claims. (c1. 2l0-56) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in traps for sinks or the like. This is a substitute for my previous application filed on July 1, 1949, Serial Number 102,623.

Prior to the present invention, it has been found that numerous cloggings have developed in household plumbing caused by the hardened accumulations of grease in the pipes beyond the conventionaltraps resulting in unnecessary expense in obtaining the services of qualified plumbers to relieve the congestion. The present invention proposes an improved trap especially for kitchen sinks which will act to hold back grease which enters the trap along with the discharging water permitting the water to freely discharge, which grease can then be periodically removed from the trap by opening the bottom thereof eliminating the above objection to the present traps.

The traps of the present invention are characterized by a hollow casing having a water inlet closely adjacent the bottom thereof and a water outlet pipe entering the casing at one side thereof adjacent the top and having its mouth opening positioned closely adjacent the bottom of the casing so that the grease which enters the trap with the water will float on the surface of the water above the mouth opening of the outlet pipe in a manner so that only the waste water will enter the outlet pipe leaving the grease floating on the surface of the water which normally remains in the trap.

Another object of the present invention proposes forming the hollow casing with a closed discharge opening at its bottom arranged in a manner to be periodically opened to permit the Water which normally remains in the trap together with the accumulated grease to drain therefrom for cleaning out the trap.

The invention further proposes locating the discharge opening in the bottom wall of the hollow casing immediately below the mouth opening of the outlet pipe in a manner so that when the discharge opening is opened a wire may be passed into the casing and into the mouth opening of the outlet pipe to relieve any congestion that might develop in the outlet pipe.

Still another object of the invention proposes providing the hollow casing with an inner cupshaped member in which the accumulated grease will collect when the water is drained therefrom.

A further object of the present invention proposes forming the casing of separate sections releasably connected together so that they can be separated in a manner to permit the cupshaped member to be removed from the interior of the casing to be cleaned of its accumulation of grease.

Still further, the present invention proposes constructing a trap embodying the features of the present invention and having a top opening through which the interior of the casing can be cleaned in a manner to be used beneath such sinks where the space below the trap is limited.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a grease trap for sinks or the like which is emcient in operation, which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure- Fig. l is a partial elevational view of a sink provided with a grease trap in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the trap, per se.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating the grease trap constructed in accordance with a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is another vertical sectional View similar to Fig, 2, but illustrating the grease trap constructed in accordance with a still further modification of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5 having a portion of the top cover broken away to reveal interior constructions.

The grease trap for sinks or the like, according to the first form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, is shown connected to a sink It. The sink might be a kitchen sink or any other sink or plumbing fixture from which quantities of grease discharge along with the usual Waste water.

The trap, of the present invention, includes a hollow casing ll of any desired cross-sectional shape, but preferably round. The top of the casing II, is open but permanently closed by a flat disc l2 which is welded, soldered, braised or in any other manner secured to the casing I I.

A water inlet pipe I3 extends from the sink Iii and enters the side of the casing H at one side thereof and closely adjacent the bottom of the casing. The water together with the accumulated grease which discharges from the sink ID will pass through the water inlet pipe l3 and into the casing l0. As shown in Fig. 1, the water inlet pipe l3 could be provided with a branch l3 which could be connected with another sink or similar plumbing fixture.

A water outlet pipe I4 enters the side of the casing closely adjacent the top thereof and has its other end connected to the usual sewerage system to carry away the waste water as is generally known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The mouth l4 of the outlet pipe, within the casing I is located closely adjacent the bottom of the casing so that the water will enter the outlet pipe [4 from the bottom thereof.

The bottom of the casing II is formed with a closed discharge opening l5 which is closed by a plug [6 which is threaded in position. The plug I 6 carries the usual resilient washer I? which engages the bottom face of the casing sealing the discharge opening l5.

The discharge opening I5 is located directly below the mouth opening M of the outlet pipe |4. Thus, when the plug I6 is removed a length of flexible wire can be passed upward through the discharge opening l5 and into the mouth I4 of the outlet pipe I4 to be forced into the outlet pipe to relieve any congestion that might develop in that pipe.

The operation of this first form of the invention is as follows:

The water accumulated in the casing M will rise to the level indicated by the dot and dash line 18 in Fig. 2. As grease floats on water, any grease which enters the casing H from the inlet pipe I3 will immediately rise in the casing and float on the surface of the water. The waste water below the floating grease will enter the mouth |4 of the outlet pipe l4 and be carried to the sewerage system with which the outlet pipe is connected. As water will always be accumulated in the casing to the level of the line l3, the accumulated grease floating on the surface of the water will never enter the outlet pipe l4.

To clean the casing H of the accumulated grease, it is merely necessary to remove the plug l6 allowing the accumulated grease and water to discharge through the opening l5 into a pail or bucket placed beneath the trap.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the grease trap is characterized by a casing 20 comprising an upper section 2| and a removable bottom section 22. The contacting edges of the sections 2| and 22 are formed with adjacent flange 23 and 24. A securing ring 25 is engaged over the flange 24 and has threaded engagement with the flange 23 for connecting the bottom section 22 to the top section 2|. The top face of the bottom flange 24 is formed with a circular triangularly shaped projection 26 which engages a complementary groove 27 in the flange 23 for sealing the contacting faces of the flanges 23 and 24 against water leakage.

A water inlet pipe 28 leading from a sink or other plumbing fixture, not shown, is threaded into a boss 26 integrally formed with the upper section 2| of the casing and closely adjacent the bottom thereof. Likewise, an outlet pipe 30 is threaded into a boss 3| formed on the side of the upper section 2| of the casing 23 closely adjacent the top thereof. Internally, the top section 2| of the casing 20 is formed with an outlet tube 32 4 Which forms an inner extension of the outlet pipe 30 and which has its mouth opening 32 located within the casing closely adjacent its bottom.

At the bend in the outlet tube 32, within the casing 23, there is threadedly mounted a removable plug 32 which is adapted to be removed when the bottom casing section 22 is separated from the upper casing section 2 When the plug 32 is removed it is possible to insert a wire into the outlet pipe for relieving congestions that might develop therein without first passing the wire upward through the outlet tube 32.

Within the casing 20 there is a cup-shaped member 33 formed at its top with a cutout 34 through which the outlet tube 32 extends. Mounted 0.11. the material of the cup-shaped member 33 which defines the cutout 34 there is a strip of rubber 35 which is to be pressed about the bottom half of the outlet tube 32 to seal the engagement of the bottom portion of the cutout with the tube 32 to prevent water leakage. It is only necessary to seal the bottom half of the outlet tube 32 as water will only remain in the cupshaped member up to the level indicated by the line 36, in Fig. 3.

' in Fig. 3.

The bottom of the bottom section 22 of the casing 20 is formed with a discharge opening 38 closed by means of a plug 33 threaded into the discharge opening 38. The plug 39 carries the usual rubber washer 46 which engages the bottom face of the casing 20 sealing the engagement of the plug 39 with the casing to prevent water leakage.

The inner end of the plug 39 is formed with a frusto-conical portion 4| and the bottom of the cup-shaped member 33 is formed with a corresponding opening 42 engaged by the frusto-conical portion 4|. When the plug 39 is tightened into position in the discharge opening 38, as shown in Fig. 3, the frusto-conical portion 4| will be engaged in the opening 42 raising the cup-shaped member 3.3 slightly relative to the casing 23 and compressing the strip of rubber 35 about the bottom half of the outlet tube 32. When the plug 39 is removed from the discharge opening 38, the cup-shaped member 33 will drop downward and rest on the bottom wall of the bottom section 22 with its opening 42 aligned with the discharge opening 38 so that the accumulated water and grease can be discharged therefrom.

However, if all of the grease does not discharge through the aligned opening 42 and discharging opening 38 then the bottom section 22 is removed from the upper section 2| permitting the cupshaped member 33 to be removed from the casing 20 for a thorough internal cleaning. After cleaning, the parts are returned to their starting position as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

As in the previous form of the invention, the discharge openings 38 and 42 are located directly below the mouth opening 32* of the outlet tube 32. Thus, when the plug 39 is removed a length of flexible wire can be passed upward through the aligned discharge openings 38 and 42 and into the mouth 32 of the outlet tube 32 to relieve any congestion that might develop in the outlet tube and in the outlet pipe 30.

In other respects the operation of the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and l is identically the same as that described in connection with the first form of the invention and the foregoing description of the operation of that first form of the invention applies equally well to the latter form of the invention.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the grease trap is in many ways similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the trap of this modified form of the invention is designed primarily for use in connection with plumbing fixtures in which there is very little room below the trap.

The trap of this further modification of the invention is comprised of a hollow casing 58, which is preferably round in horizontal crosssection, and which has an open top. The top of the casing 54} is surrounded by an inwardly directed flange 5| upon which a rubber sealing gasket 52 is rested. A flat cover 53 is rested on the gasket 52 for closing the open top of the casing 50.

Means is provided for removably retaining the cover 53 in position upon the open top of the casing 59. The removable retaining means comprises threaded studs 54 which extend upward from diametrically opposite sides of the flange 51 and which pass through the gasket 52 and through openings formed in diametrically opposite sides of the cover 53. Threaded onto the top ends of the studs 54 there are winged nuts 55 for securing the cover 53 in position. The top ends of the studs 5:1 and the winged nuts 55 are disposed within recesses 56 formed in diametrically opposite sides of the cover 53 so that no part of the securing means extends above the top face of the cover 53.

A water inlet pipe 51 extends from a sink or other plumbing fixture (not shown) and enters the side of the casing 50 at one side thereof and closely adjacent the bottom of the casing. The

water together with the accumulated grease from the sink will pass through the water inlet pipe 5! and into the casing 50.

A water outlet pipe 58 enters the side of the casing 5i] closely adjacent the top thereof and has its outer end connected to the usual sewerage system to carry away the waste water. The mouth 58* of the outlet pipe 58 is located closely adjacent the bottom wall of the casing 50 so that only water located in the bottom of the casing will enter the outlet pipe 58. This arrangement of the mouth 58 also causes the water to seek a level indicated by the dot and dash line 59, so that the grease which enters the casing 50 will float on the surface of the accumulated water above the level of the mouth 58 of the outlet pipe 58.

The bend of the outlet pipe 58, within the easing as, is formed with a removable plug 60 which can be removed when the cover 33 is removed permitting a ilexible wire to be forced into the outlet pipe 53 to relieve congestions which might develop in the outlet pipe.

When it is desired to clean the inside of the casing 59 it is merely necessary to remove the cover 53 permitting the excess grease to be scooped off the surface of the water contained within the casing 55. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous forms and further detailed description of the operation is believed to be unnecessary.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described by invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States patent is:

1. A grease trap for a sink or the like, comprising a hollow casing, a water inlet pipe connected to said casing adjacent its bottom, a water outlet pipe entering said casing at one side closely adjacent its top and a bent pipe integral with said casing adjacent the water outlet pipe and having its mouth closely adjacent the bottom of said casing, and a closed discharge opening at the bottom of said casing, and a cupshaped member within said casing for containing the accumulated grease and water and fitting in sealing engagement with the inner wall of said casing to prevent accumulations therebetween, said casing being formed of an upper section and a bottom section, and means connecting said sections together so that they can be separated to permit removal of said cup-shaped member when desired, said pipes being threaded into bosses formed on the sides of said upper section, and an outlet tube within said casing aligned with said bent pipe, said cup-shaped member being formed with a cutout extended about said outlet tube, said cup shaped member being slidably received in said casing to be urged against the outlet pipe when in sealing relation and being lowered when grease is to be removed.

2. A grease trap for a sink or the like, comprising a hollow casing, a water inlet pipe connected to said casing adjacent its bottom, a water outlet pipe entering said casing at one side closely adjacent its top and a bent pipe integral with said casing adjacent the water outlet pipe and having its mouth closely adjacent the bottom of said casing, and a closed discharge opening at the bottom of said casing, and a cupshaped member within said casing for containing the accumulated grease and water and fitting in sealing engagement with the inner wall of said casing to prevent accumulations therebetween, said casing being formed of an upper section and a bottom section, and means connecting said sections together so that they can be separated to permit removal of said cup-shaped member when desired, said pipes being threaded into bosses formed on the sides of said upper section, and an outlet tube within said casing aligned with said bent pipe, said cup-shaped member being formed with a cutout extended about said outlet tube, said cup shaped member being slidably received in said casing to be urged against the outlet pipe when in sealing relation and being lowered when grease is to be removed, said cup-shaped member being formed with a hole aligned with said inlet pipe when said cutout is engaged about said outlet tube.

3. A grease trap for a sink or the like, comprising a hollow casing, a water inlet pipe connected to said casing adjacent its bottom, a water outlet pipe entering said casing at one side closely adjacent its top and a bent pipe integral with said casing adjacent the water outlet pipe and having its mouth closely adjacent the bottom of said casing, and a closed discharge opening at the bottom of said casing, and a cupshaped member within said casing for containing the accumulated grease and water and fitting in sealing engagement with the inner wall of said casing to prevent accumulations therebetween, said casing being formed of an upper section and a bottom section, and means connecting said sections together so that they can be separated to permit removal of said cup-shaped member when desired, said pipes being threaded into bosses formed on the sides of said upper section, and an outlet tube Within said casing aligned with said bent pipe, said cup-shaped member being formed with a cut out extended about said outlet tube, said cup shaped member being slidably received in said casing to be urged against the outlet pipe when in sealing relation and being lowered when grease is to be removed, and means for sealing the engagement of said cutout about the bottom half of said outlet tube.

4. A grease trap for a sink or the like, comprising a hollow casing, a water inlet pipe connected to said casing adjacent its bottom, a water outlet pipe entering said casing at one side closely adjacent its top and a bent pipe integral with said casing adjacent the water outlet pipe and having its mouth closely adjacent the bottom of said casing, and a closed discharge opening at the bottom of said casing, and a cupshaped member within said casing for containing the accumulated grease and water and fitting in sealing engagement with the inner wall of said casing to prevent accumulations therebetween,

said casing being for-med of an upper section and a bottom section, and means connecting said sections together so that they can be separated to permit removal of said cup-shaped member when desired, said pipes being threaded into bosses formed on the sides of said upper section and an outlet tube within said casing aligned with said bent pipe, saidcup-shaped member being formed with a cutout extended about said outlet tube, said cupshapedmember being slidably received in said casing to be urged against the outlet pipe when in sealing relation and being lowered when grease is to be removed, and means for sealing the engagement of said cutout about the bottom half of said outlet tube, and means for raising said cup-shaped member into sealing engagement with said outlet tube and relative to said casing.

References Cited in the file of. this. patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 252,869 Erwin Jan. 31, 1882- 541,208 Knispel June 18, 1895 986,268 Colina et al. Mar. 7, 1911 1,444,132 Ninow et a1 Feb. 6, 1923 1,679,191 Westbrook July 31, 1928 1,982,348 Lufi Nov. 27, 1934 2,103,316 Boosey Dec. 28, 1937 2,576,645 Shenk Nov. 27, 1951 

